Nigeria Hydrological Agency Urge Niger Basin, River Benue Residents To Brace Up For Fresh Flood As Cameroon Releases Water From Dam

The Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) has issued a warning to Nigerians regarding the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

The Lagdo Reservoir, located in Northern Cameroon on the Benue River within the Niger basin, spans an area of 586 square kilometers.

In a statement released on Tuesday, NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Mohammed, informed the public about the situation but reassured them that major flooding is not anticipated in Nigeria.

The statement indicated that states including Kogi, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, and Rivers should prepare to mitigate the effects of the incoming water.

Mohammed stated, “The Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency wishes to inform the public that the authorities at Lagdo Dam in Cameroon have notified us that they will begin regulated water releases at the rate of 100 m³/s (8,640,000 m³/day) today, September 17, 2024.

“Releases are expected to gradually increase to 1000 m³/s over the next week, depending on inflows from the upstream Garoua River, which feeds into the reservoir and significantly contributes to the Benue River.

“However, the dam managers assure us that the planned releases will be controlled to avoid surpassing the Benue River’s conveyance capacity and to prevent major flooding in downstream Nigeria.

“The water discharge from Lagdo Dam will halt once there is a noticeable decrease in flow from the reservoir.

“The Agency emphasizes that there is no reason for alarm, as major flooding is not expected downstream; current flow levels along the River Benue remain within warning thresholds.

“Nonetheless, it is crucial for all states adjacent to the River Benue system—Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers—to enhance vigilance and implement adequate preparedness measures in response to possible flood impacts due to rising flow levels during this period.

“The Agency will continue to closely monitor the flow situation of the trans-boundary River Benue and Nigeria’s inland rivers, providing regular updates on water levels to mitigate potential flood disasters.”

This warning comes as residents of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, are still grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods that resulted in loss of life and the displacement of hundreds of thousands.